Do I Need Better Roof Ventilation?

For just about any home, ensuring adequate roof ventilation is always a key concern.

Especially in countries like Australia, where climates shift from cold to warm at an infrequent frequency, roof ventilation is necessary to prevent ice dams, moisture build-up, and to expel heat from a property. In this regard, roof or attic ventilation is highly important not just to prevent roof damage but to maintain a comfortable home as well.

While understanding this is easy, ensuring that your roof enjoys the right levels of ventilation is a completely different matter. Our blog below takes a look at what signs will help you determine you need better roof ventilation – continue reading to find out!

Dirt and debris

Effective roof ventilation can be hindered through poor maintenance. A collection of twigs, leaves, and other dirt from the surrounding environment can block your vents and may even fall into your attic space.

If you’ve put off cleaning your roof for some time, make sure you attend to that before ensuring whether ventilation levels are adequate. Even if you have undertaken maintenance recently, make sure you don’t allow debris to build up following rough storms.

Mould

Another factor that can really kill proper roof ventilation is the presence of mould.

These can not just prove disruptive to maintaining an optimum temperature in your home but also damage beams, rafters, and ceiling joists in residences with an attic. Certain growths can even be highly toxic to the health of occupants, especially if heating and cooling systems are present in the attic.

Mould may not be visible to the eye, which is why it’s important to check for signs of growth within batts. In this process, do not undertake this activity without wearing a respirator. Alternatively, you can hire professionals to do the job for you.

Poor pest control

A more troubling indicator that may point to signs of poor ventilation is the presence of an excessive number of pests.

This occurs because poor ventilation leads to high levels of moisture in an attic or roof. This then becomes a conducive ground for breeding and the spread of a variety of pests and rodents. If left unaddressed, these creatures can not just damage your home but also cause serious health issues.

High temperatures

If you’re suddenly experiencing unexplained levels of heat in your home, it may be another sign that roof ventilation is not up to mark.

Given that proper ventilation ensures that air is circulated in this space, overheating in your home may indicate that something’s amiss. In order to ensure that this is the factor that’s responsible, simply place a thermometer in your attic.

In the event of high temperature, contact a specialist for help. You may also consider solar roof ventilators in order to prevent a build-up of heat in your home.

Presence of rust

When moisture levels hit a certain point, rust can start to occur, which, similarly, can lead to poor roof ventilation.

In this regard, checking the metal components on your roof for signs of rust can prove helpful if you suspect roof ventilation is poor. Rust may be found wherever metal pieces on your roof, intersect.

While this can be caused by other factors, ventilation is usually a very decisive factor.

Key takeaways

Enjoying adequate roof ventilation is not a luxury nor something that can be foregone. Given the risks of moisture build-up – which, as outlined above, can lead to rust, the growth of pests, and other factors – there’s little choice otherwise when it comes to this matter.

In this regard, solar roof ventilators are a reliable way of ensuring that your home is well protected from a range of agents and conditions that can damage your home and your health.

Want to know more about solar roof ventilation?

At Earthsave, solar roof ventilation is just one of our many specialities. Contacts us today to find out more!